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Messages - jamesdowling

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1
Hardware / Re: Render Farm Build
« on: 2023-10-10, 14:50:42 »
I found setting up the network really confusing, I'm solo and have built PC's for many years but that was one step too far for me lol. I had to get a network guy to come and help figure it out, the main issue was not having access to the router (I was in a shared office space). And sometimes machines would lose the network which became frustrating trying to troubleshoot when you have no idea about these things, Some people love networking though. No GPU in Corona, unfortunately (hopefully one day though!) I have been working for motion graphic studios a bit more so they are heavily C4D, redshift and I play around with different renderers in Max so I'm not CPU bound.

2
Hardware / Re: Render Farm Build
« on: 2023-10-10, 14:24:26 »
I can't really comment on using the Mac studio as I have not used one but I recommend going for more than 64gb of ram, especially as this can't be upgraded at a later date with the mac. I usually sit below 64gb in projects, but there's always one that uses more. Every node will need to load the file and assets so if you are hitting the RAM limit on your current machine you will need at least that amount for each node. This will probably throw off your price/performance calculation for the mac.
If you wanted to go the old threadripper route it only makes sense to go for the 64core, as the platform is generally more expensive to build overall (motherboards etc).

The AMD Ryzen 9 7950X is probably the sweet spot at the moment for cost/performance and because you won't need a GPU you can build them in small form factor cases. It's scoring about 14,000 000 on corona bench.

I have gone down the small farm route in the past and hated it, sorting out networking, sharing drives, troubleshooting and licence costs was a real pain so I have opted for one powerful machine instead. Although I do a lot more gpu rendering now so thats played a big part in being able to move to one.

3
Hardware / Re: Render Farm Build
« on: 2023-10-06, 11:34:18 »
Just so it's on your radar there have been a few leaks that the new threadrippers will be announced this month and may be released shortly after, and may have 96cores at the top end. 
The Threadrippers that are currently out are powerful but are really overpriced for quite old tech now (especially compared to a Ryzen 9 7950x). So before spending 5k+ on a threadripper build, if you are not in a super rush to upgrade it might be worth holding off and seeing what AMD reveals.

4
I have been having this exact issue since upgrading to 2023 a few months ago, It's so annoying!

I have also been talking to Autodesk about the ui drop down menus becoming different sizes/ locations if I have anything open on my 2nd monitor (curve editor, material editor etc). Seems to be because I have a 4k and a 1920x1080 monitor and 2023 is having an issue with the different sizes and upscaling - I have had this setup for many years though and it's not been an issue so it's a max23 problem I think. I just put the gizmo behaviour down to that. Hopefully someone else has a solution though, I will keep an eye on this thread.

Max 2023.3, win 11

5
Hardware / Re: 5950x, 7950x or 12900K for an upgrade?
« on: 2022-11-30, 13:07:53 »
Good price range for 3090 would be around or slightly less than 4080. It would be less powerful, has older tech (no DLSS3), but 24GB instead of 16GB, making it good for rendering.
I can find some new 3090 Ti GPUs like the ASUS GeForce RTX 3090 Ti TUF GAMING for $1000 in some local stores here. I just wonder if there's any significant difference between those aftermarket versions and the founders Edition (Titanium and black).

Just to quickly chime in here that there's some good GPU prices currently on ebay (if you don't mind used and the risk that comes with that) I think lots of people have upgraded to the new 4090 and are selling the last gen cards atm, I just picked up 2 x 3090fe for £800 each. One of the cards I need to replace the thermal pads as it's running a bit hot (known issue for the 3090fe) but all in I would have paid the same as a 4090 fe, which has been impossible to get in the UK.

6
I mean it is not that obvious when you land on the page...but yes you're right if you scroll down to the bottom of the page it is there, which I bet most people wouldn't do. The email sent about the new pricing did not mention anything about taxes not being included though. Generally in the UK (Cant talk for other countries) the price stated already has the tax included, or has it written clearly next to the price that it is not. It's just a bit misleading.

7
Hi Maru,

My premium subscription was renewed today, I was told yesterday by Chaos support that I couldn't use the Black Friday code...Was this wrong? On another note the price increase of £135 from what I paid for last year is crazy- for nothing new and now I have a bunch of programs I will never use...also not including the VAT on the price in the email was a bit sneaky...


8
Just to jump on this thread as it sounds similar to my situation. I have just delivered an animation and one scene has been having so many issues, it's a simple bedroom/bathroom scene.

On random frames the 'rays actually' drops down to around 200 (normally sits at 12,000,000) and never finishes the pass, it's strange as it renders the first 7 passes. It locks max so I can't save out the frame and ram usage goes up to 100% (all other frames are using 30%). It also means backburner does not continue to render other frames.

Also at the start of each new pass only one core is used then ramps up to 100% as the pass continues rendering, then drops down to 1 core as the next pass starts.

Using 3dsmax 2021, corona 7. Happy to send the scene if you want.

9
Hardware / Re: ergonomic work enviroment
« on: 2021-12-06, 16:49:53 »
I went the other direction...I made my own desk with a nice padded foot rest, a 30" pull out shelf under the top for my wireless keyboard and mouse and wacom. Add a comfortable reclining office chair with adjustable arm rests. I hardly move a muscle, everything is supported. So I get up often and get a drink of water and look at something farther the 24" from my face.

I think I will stay with the sitting desk option after looking into it a bit more and talking to a few people. The foot rest sounds interesting though and maybe a new chair would be a good move.

I would like to add my 2 cents regarding the mouse: I have been using the MX Master 3 for a while now, and before that I was using the 1st Gen MX Master. The mouse has received only positive reviews overall, and I am starting to think that noone from those reviews is using the mouse for modelling in a 3D Software. The mouse wheel is really hard to press, which quickly becomes a pain when you have to press it constantly to navigate the scene. Add the overall big weight and not so light clicks, and the mouse quickly becomes very un-ergonomic, to the point that I have started to feel sore on my hand.

I am thinking of going either for a vertical one, or for a gaming mouse with easier clicks and more customizable buttons with better placement.

Everyone is different, but I would love to see more people contribute to this post.


I actually just purchased the logi mx vertical mouse and I couldn't be happier with it, The wrist position is really comfortable. Right/ left click makes a bit of a sharp clicking noise though but apart from that no complaints and a big improvement over my last 2 mice (razer/corsair). I also got the logitech ergo keyboard which is taking a bit of time to get used to...It's really nice to type on but I'm finding for 3D viewport controls it's a bit awkward (W,E,R, f3, f4, alt,shift) due to the keys being tilted and on a curve, I'm going to stick with it but I would try and test it out before purchasing as I feel it wont be for everyone.

10
Hardware / Re: ergonomic work enviroment
« on: 2021-11-26, 15:17:47 »
Thanks man, That's really helpful!

It's a hard bullet to take on the standing desk as I feel I might be similar to you and not use it that much. Have you tried working while standing for the whole day?

The cables sound like a pain aswell.. I guess the excess cable thats needed on the highest height setting is just dangling down while sitting?

11
Hardware / ergonomic work enviroment
« on: 2021-11-26, 12:02:38 »
Hi All,

As I'm getting older I have started to develop pains in my wrist/elbows and shoulder, mainly from sitting at a desk for long days. Finally had enough and I'm going to try and make my setup more ergonomic, I figured it must be a common problem with 3D artists so I wondered if anyone had found anything that helped? or what your setups are like?

I was thinking of buying the logitech ERGO K860 split keyboard and MX vertical mouse to start, is anyone currently using them? I have tried numerous mechanical keyboards over the years, the high key travel and clicking really doesn't sit well with me so I want to avoid that.

Also standing desks? Is anyone using one day to day? It's quite a big investment for something I'm not sure I will like. Is it practical going from sitting to standing with 2 big monitors and all the cables that come with it?

Thanks!

12
Hi Basshunter,
Unfortunately I think you will have to replace quite a lot....
Motherboard-  That's Intel so you will need to look for an AMD TRX40 compatible MB.
Cooler- The threadripper CPU is very large so the cooler won't be compatible.
Ram - This should work but it is only 2133mhz so that may also affect CPU performance, I'm not sure how the new threadrippers are with memory now so maybe someone else can chime in. I would also suggest going for 4x16gb sticks which will allow you to add more in the future. PSU- should be ok but maybe not with any PBO, personally I would go for a good 1000w so you can upgrade the GPU later if you want.
Case- I think TRX40 motherboards are E-ATX and your case only supports ATX, Micro ATX, Mini ITX,so that would need replacing.

You're probably better off keeping your old machine as a render node and building from scratch to be honest. You could use your GPU and find a really cheap (old) one for the old machine (as corona doesn't use the GPU so it's just for the display).
As for parts this thread is full of suggested parts/ specs so it's worth reading through and that will help with what is best to buy. It is the best resource for threadripper builds I have come across on the internet.

Hope that helps!

13
[Max] I need help! / Re: Render Elements saving out as noise
« on: 2021-10-28, 11:39:39 »
Thanks for the replies, I tried new elements but the problem still occurs. I have had some backburner errors in the past where it came up with image i/o error messages when saving as png. Looks like it's a Max issue then, maybe something did not install correctly.

14
[Max] I need help! / Re: Render Elements saving out as noise
« on: 2021-10-27, 14:28:49 »
I have just done some tests and jpeg and tiff are saving out ok. Any reason why PNG would be having an error?

15
[Max] I need help! / Render Elements saving out as noise
« on: 2021-10-27, 12:44:21 »
Hi,
Sorry if this is in the wrong place or has been answered already.
I'm rendering an animation but the elements (lightmix/reflection/velocity/zdepth) are coming out as black and white noise (attached). The actual render is saving out fine though and if I render 1 frame all the elements are showing how they should. Any thoughts on how I can fix this? Im saving as png so could that be the problem?
Corona 7- 4k cache, animation (flicker free), calculate from scratch every frame.

Thanks

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